Propulsion means for recreational aquatic boat

ABSTRACT

A paddle stick for propulsion of a recreational water craft utilizing the arms in an athletic sequence similar to that of cross country skiing, the paddle stick formed of a shaft having an upper handle end and a lower end having a flotation device secured thereabout, the shaft member further extending below the flotation device in a threaded configuration for receipt on the threaded shaft of a biasing means in the form of a coil spring and a threaded stopper cap superimposed over the biasing means to adjust the tension thereon, the lower end of the shaft in pivoting relationship with a paddle shaft angularly displaceable with respect to said handle shaft about said pivot point, said paddle shaft having a plurality of radially outwardly extending paddle blades freely rotatable on the paddle shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a propulsion means for what is commonly referred to as a foot boat, which is used for recreational aquatic purposes, and which is normally propelled by gas, oar, or paddle, the present invention relating to an improved paddle stick for the propulsion of such aquatic recreational boat.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Foot boats are recreational boats normally operated by a single individual either in a standing erect position or in a sitting position. The operator would normally propel the foot boat by either an oar, paddle, or gaff. While the aforesaid will result in the propulsion of the foot boat, Applicant has developed a more efficient propulsion means which can be used either in a standing position or in a sitting position, the paddle stick of the present invention significantly reducing the fatigue which results from the use of oars or bi-lateral paddles, the use of Applicant's paddle stick mimicking the athletic stroke used by cross country skiers.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel propulsion mechanism for a foot boat which significantly reduces the fatigue experienced by the user when propelling the foot boat.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel propulsion means for a foot boat in which the actual stroke mimics the stroke of a cross country skier.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel propulsion means for a foot boat in which the propulsion means automatically orients itself to the correct position at the start of each stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A paddle stick for propulsion of a recreational water craft utilizing the arms in an athletic sequence similar to that of cross country skiing, the paddle stick formed of a shaft having an upper handle end and a lower end having a flotation device secured thereabout, the shaft member further extending below the flotation device in a threaded configuration for receipt on the threaded shaft of a biasing means in the form of a coil spring and a threaded stopper cap superimposed over the biasing means to adjust the tension thereon, the lower end of the shaft in pivoting relationship with a paddle shaft angularly displaceable with respect to said handle shaft about said pivot point, said paddle shaft having a plurality of radially outwardly extending paddle blades freely rotatable on the paddle shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

FIG. 1 is a planar elevational view of the paddle stick of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a close up planar view of the lower portion of the paddle stick of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of the paddle stick of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side close up view of the ring linkage joint; and

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the use of the paddle stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a planar elevational view of a paddle stick 10 of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a close up planar view of the lower portion of paddle stick 10. Paddle stick 10 comprises a shaft member 12 having an upper end 14 terminating in a handle 16. Proximate upper end 14 and handle 16 would be an optional strap ring 18 securing a strap line 20 to a wrist strap 22, which would allow the user, as more fully described hereafter, to secure the wrist strap 22 to his wrist to prevent loss of the paddle stick 10 should the user's hand become disengaged with the handle 16.

Positioned proximate the lower end 24 of shaft member 12 is an inflatable float 26 which is maintained in position about shaft member 12 by an upper annular stop 28 on shaft member 12 and a lower annular stop 30 on shaft member 12. Shaft member 12 extends beyond lower annual stop 30, however, this extension of shaft member 12 is threaded 32. Mounted to threaded extension 32 of shaft member 12 is an internally threaded stopper cap 34 which is hemispherical in shape having its open hemispherical end 36 facing downwardly, the periphery 38 of which is formed with ribbed grooves 40 thereabout. Threaded extension 32 of shaft member 12 terminates in an internally threaded ring linkage joint 42 (See FIG. 4) as more fully described hereafter.

A paddle blade 50 which as illustrated herein contains four blade members 52 in 90 degree relationship with each other, is centrally mounted on a blade shaft 54. Paddle blade 50 is maintained in position by a lower fastener 56 which allows the paddle blade 50 to be slidably removed from blade shaft 54 and its upward motion on blade shaft 54 is controlled by an annular stop 58 which limits the upward movement of paddle blade 50. Blade shaft 54 extends beyond annular stop 58 and is formed with an upper annular stop or spring rest 60. Blade shaft 54 extends beyond the upper annular stop or spring rest 60 and terminates with a threaded upper end 62. Threaded upper end 62 is secured within a second ring linkage joint 64 which is secured to the ring linkage joint 42 secured to the threaded extension 32 of shaft member 12 (See FIG. 4). Positioned between upper annular stop or spring rest 60 on blade shaft 54 and the interior upper surface 35 of stopper cap 34, is a biasing means in the form of a coil spring 70 which envelopes the lower threaded end extension 32 of shaft member 12 and the upper threaded portion of blade shaft 54, as well as the two interlocking ring linkgages 42 and 64 which are secured to the respective threaded ends of shaft member 12 and blade shaft 54.

The use of the paddle stick is illustrated in FIG. 5 which illustrates a user 100 standing on a floatation device 102, such as paddle boat, surfboard, or the like. The user would operate a paddle stick 10 of the disclosed invention with both his right hand and his left hand, grasping the handle 16 of each end of the paddle stick 10, and having the wrist strap 22 secured to his wrist. The float 26 secured to shaft member 12 insures that the paddle stick 10 achieves the proper depth when stroking or paddling. Stopper cap 34 having its lower periphery 38 formed with grooved ribs 40, engages the blade shaft 54 during the stroke or paddle with a select rib or groove which maintains the paddle blade 50 in a vertical position within the water and does not allow the paddle blade 50 to rotate upwardly and outwardly with each stroke or paddle.

Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof. 

1. A propulsion means for a recreational aquatic vehicle in the form of a manually operated paddle stick, said paddle stick comprising: a shaft member having an upper end and a lower end, and an intermediate threaded portion, said upper end formed with a handle member and said lower end being formed with a paddle blade; an inflatable float disposed between said upper and lower ends of said shaft member and maintained in position by upper and lower stop members secured to said shaft member; there being disposed below said inflatable float, a hemispherical cap threadedly engaged to said intermediate threaded portion of said shaft member within a centrally disposed threaded aperture of said hemispherical cap, said hemispherical cap having a plurality of ribbed grooves about its lower periphery for selected engagement with a portion of said pivotal lower shaft member during paddling, said hemispherical cap member having a biasing means in the form of a coil spring positioned on said shaft member between said hemispherical cap and a lower spring rest formed on said shaft member, said hemispherical cap member rotatably adjustable on said threaded portion of said shaft member to adjust coil spring compression between said hemispherical shaft member and said lower spring rest; a paddle blade secured to said lower end of said shaft member, said paddle blade comprising four blades disposed about said shaft member in 90 degree perpendicular relationship, said blades maintained in relative relationship while paddling in cooperation with said inflatable float, said coil spring compression and said positioning of said lower shaft member in a selective ribbed groove of said hemispherical cap. 